Dustin Smith has announced his candidacy for the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board.

Smith said he believes this is a pivotal time for the local schools. With his children starting kindergarten in the district, he says he feels a personal responsibility to help strengthen the schools that serve the entire community.

“My campaign will be centered on building trust, ensuring responsible decision-making, and keeping students at the heart of every discussion,” according to Smith. “Academic excellence goes beyond test scores. Our strategic plan must give teachers and staff the resources, respect and stability they need to help every student succeed.”

Smith said he will focus on the district’s most urgent needs. “We need to confront the budget shortfall, prepare for the impacts of closing a neighborhood school, and ensure stable leadership after key administrator departures,” he said. “Every decision I make will be guided by what creates the best learning environment for our kids, supporting their growth, well-being and academic success.”

Emphasizing the importance of collaboration across the district, Smith said the district will move forward when board members, staff, families and the community work together with respect and purpose.

Smith is an HR executive and holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota. He and his wife, Kaylee, live in Prior Lake with their two sons who have recently started school in the same district attended by their father.

Voters will be going to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to decide who will fill one open seat on the PLSAS board in January 2026.